By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
According to Tom Hale, Caribou FFA advisor, members of the Caribou FFA were one of many teams participating in the 2010 National FFA Convention Career Development Events (CDE) held in October, in Indianapolis, where a new participation record was set with 54,942 members, advisors, sponsors and guests in attendance.
Contributed photo
Participating in the 83rd National FFA Convention agricultural mechanics compeition, held in October in Indianapolis, were Caribou FFA members, from left: Tom Hale, advisor; Lance Cormier, Zac Gorence, Dustin Green and Shawn Holmquist.
The competitions were held during the 83rd National FFA Convention. The two categories Caribou students competed in were Agriculture Mechanics and Agriculture Sales.
The Agriculture Mechanics event, consisted of a four-member team who took a written test and demonstrated their skills through hands-on activities. The participants were tested in the following areas: agriculture machinery and equipment; industry and marketing; environmental and natural resources; and structures and energy. This year’s theme was Integrated Pest Management. Representing the Caribou FFA were team members Shawn Holmquist, Dustin Green, Zac Gorence and Lance Cormier.
In the Agriculture Sales event, participants were asked to participate in an objective test, as well as in oral sales presentation. Participants complete a series of activities demonstrating their skill at prospecting customers, promoting products, advertising and customer service. Members also made sales presentations as individuals and as members of a team. Caribou FFA team members included Colby Johnson, Molli Cullins, Sara Huston and Desiree Lavallee.
Monsanto sponsored the National FFA Agriculture Sales competition and Firestone Agriculture Tire Company Division sponsored the Agriculture Mechanics events. These are two of 23 different national events that use the fun of competition to connect classroom learning and careers.
Chapters from Oxford Hills, Belfast Regional, Central Aroostook, and Presque Isle also represented Maine at the National FFA Convention. The Ag Mechanics team took a “Gearhead Tour” visiting Indy Performance Composites, Don Schumacher Racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Ganassi Racing’s Indy Car shop.
Contributed photo
Competing in the National FFA agricultural sales event during the 83rd National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis last fall were Caribou FFA team members, from left: Molli Cullins, Sara Huston, Colby Johnson and Desiree Laville. Shown with the Caribou delegates is Kimberly Skinner, a Monsanto representative.
The Caribou Chapter was treated to a cookout hosted by Eugene Robbins, a former Caribou High School industrial arts instructor now living in Greenwood, Ind. FFA members also went to see Lady Antebellum in concert at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Professional Bull Riders rodeo.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st United States Congress, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs.
For more information visit www.ffa.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and FFA Nation.
